Author's Note: Okay, I get it. I need to update. Alright? But in no way shape or form is 'Update now' or any variation of said words and encouragement to write more. I'm aware that many people have their eyes on my fic and are waiting for an update, but there's this thing called life that comes before writing. I do enjoy writing, but if I can't think of anything to write, badgering me to write more isn't going to work. If you're going to ask that I update quicker at least be polite and comment on what you thought of the chapter. Did you like 'Inner Snape?' Is there any grammatical or spelling errors? Things like that are good to leave. 'Plz updt soon' is not a review. Sorry to every one who read that and wasn't an asshat. You guys are great. I hope that you all enjoy the chapter and I apologize for taking so long to get it done. Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. Shouts out to Sierra-Falls whose words made me smile and made me get my but in gear. Tell me that you love me, review!
Disclaimer: I do not own the series Yu-Gi-Oh! Or the Harry Potter books. Those belong to much richer people than I.
Hogwarts
Yuugi sighed as he sank into the couch. It had never been more comfortable, Yuugi thought as he tiredly closed his eyes. If the afterlife was anything like this, Yuugi had no objections about going there when he died.
Yuugi closed his eyes as a sharp pain stabbed him in his temples. The headache had come out of no where, though Yuugi chalked it up to being so exhausted. Or it could be from summoning all of his monsters at once. He really wanted to know how that happened, because it definitely wasn't normal.
Sitting up, Yuugi wandered over Snape's cabinet where the Potions Master kept his private stock. Reaching in he grabbed a vial that he and Snape both used. It contained a potion tailored specifically for headaches. Yuugi had plans to try and get the recipe off of Snape since it worked so well and fast. Making a face, Yuugi took a deep breath and swallowed it down. Shuddering and trying not to give in to the need to pull out his own tongue, he put the vial back in the cabinet with the rest of the empty vials.
Biting back a yawn, Yuugi flopped bonelessly onto the couch which was charmed to change into a bed once someone laid down upon it. He lay there, his breathing evening out and eyelids closing. It felt so good to surrender to the serenity that beckoned to him.
Yuugi woke groggily to find Snape stalking past him as the Potions Master slammed another door. Apparently Snape was having a bad day too. Yuugi was almost asleep again when Snape burst back out into the main room, his robes billowing around him menacingly. It took Yuugi a moment to realize that Snape was standing at the foot of his bed, glaring heatedly at him. Yuugi blinked and help back a gulp as he scrambled to get out of bed and face Snape. Yuugi peeked at Snape from behind the fringe of his hair and began to fidget slightly when Snape didn't so much as twitch.
"What, do you have to say for yourself?" Snape asked, his words cutting through and impaling the silence with his biting tone.
"I….." Yuugi stuttered the words catching in his throat when he saw the look on Snape's face harden slightly.
"What were you thinking? You could have been seen by a student, or worse, a Death Eater! Obviously there aren't any brains beneath that mop you call your hair, because if you had stopped to think for even a second you would have realized wandering around was something along the lines of stupid!" Snape shouted vehemently, his cheeks flushing with anger and the effort of yelling so forcefully.
Yuugi bit his lower lip as he felt it tremble. He couldn't cry! He hadn't cried from being yelled at since before he had completed the Millennium Puzzle. Yuugi took a deep breath but kept his eyes on the ground. He was pretty sure if he looked at Snape he would clam up.
"I….I just wanted to go for a quick walk but then I saw these beautiful creatures. I think you call them Uni-corns...but they liked me and let me pet them. Then there was a scream and they left. I went to go see who had screamed and there was a Centaur boy being hurt by these bad feeling men with white masks." Yuugi said, switching to Japanese for comfort.
"White masks?" Snape asked, his blood freezing. If the Dark-Lord controlled Yuugi and his amazing power it would not bode well for the Wizarding World.
"Yes, but they're gone now. Kuriboh and my other monsters ate them." Yuugi continued shakily. What would Snape say about him using his magic? Especially since he wasn't sure he had it fully under control….
"You are certain you got them all?" Snape bit out. From what little bit he had seen of Yuugi's magic, he would definitely call it wild at best.
"Positive" Yuugi nodded assuredly as he glanced up at Snape, switching back to English as he regained some of his confidence. Snape seemed perturbed though and Yuugi found that he felt shy some reason. It was just Snape! What was wrong with him? First his magic got away from him, his emotions went haywire and now he was acting as if he had never met Yami.
"Mister Mouto, as you seem to have an affinity for trouble, much like some of the students here I see fit to punish you with no more trips outside until further notice." Snape sneered and wrapped his cloak around himself before stalking off. He had some pondering to do. And Gryffindor essays to grade.
As Snape left to do whatever it was that teachers did when they weren't in class, Yuugi leaned against the couch. He brought his other hand up to his brow and pressed, hoping to relieve the pressure that had steadily built while Snape had…talked…to him. Ugh, and he couldn't take any more headache potion for another hour. He worried his bottom lip. Snape would probably have something for him to take….It wasn't that bad of a headache and Snape could use some time to himself. Besides, it was only an hour, right?
St.Mungo's
Ex-Minister Cornelius Fudge groaned as the world suddenly grew brighter. He looked to his left and found the door to the room that he was in. He sat up slowly and let out an uneasy breath.
There had been someone in his head!
Fudge drew a shaky breath and let it out slowly as he came to a realization.
St.Mungo's was no longer safe.
It had been compromised. It may have even been under the control of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. That would explain why there had been someone in his head. Only He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would do such a thing. Then he realized something. He was the Ex-Minister. They were trying to gain a foothold into the Ministry through him! Fudge huffed. That would not do. He may not be the Minister of Magic anymore, but he still had a duty to the Wizarding World.
Wizarding...World? The strange sounding words echoed in Fudge's mind. Fudge stopped breathing. How….?
Fudge scrambled out of the hospital bed and grabbed his cloak. He jammed his feet into his shoes and moved as quickly as he could without making any noise. Quite as a lethifold (not mouse, this is the wizarding world after all), Fudge peeked out the door and scanned for nurses or doctors.
Empty...Corridors... The voice was back, haunting him as he made his way down the eerily empty halls of St.Mungo's. Even the elevators and lobby was empty. The receptionist's desk had a 'back in 5 minutes' sign floating in front of it.
Fudge bolted for the door, rushing out he found that the streets were empty and the sky was dark. The chill of night cut through his thin but well made office cloak and brought him to his senses.
"I need to get out of here…damn it all, I'll have to use that blasted muggle flat in downtown London" Fudge muttered to himself. He made a quick check for muggles and wizards alike before he apparated away with a loud Crack!
Fudge appeared with a Crack in a shady looking alley that had a clear view of a well lit London Street. He ran a hand through his thinning hair and put his hat on before stepping out into the light.
Light...Aibou... The voice whispered almost reverently.
Fudge's breath caught in his throat. The voice, it sounded like the person who had been in his head! He clenched his fists and hurried into the building he was standing next to. A muggle security guard nodded at him as he past by. Fudge nodded back and then scurried up the stairs. He didn't dare take the muggle elevator. Imagine, being held up in a metal box by rope instead of magic! Muggles, Fudge thought, were quite insane. He was panting by the time he reached the third floor where his flat was.
Pulling out a key from his breast pocket, he unlocked the door and spoke the password that would let him through the wards that he had paid good money to have installed. One could never be to safe with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named on the loose again. Fudge relaxed marginally once he was inside the wards.
Now all he had to do was figure out how to get who ever was in his head out. He picked his brain as he tried to remember everything that pertained to it. Someone or something was looking out for Fudge because something in his mind clicked. Whatever it was had taken on the shape of the boy that Dumbledore was still hiding away in that blasted school.
Upon his realization Fudge scrambled over to his desk and hurriedly pulled out a piece of parchment and a self-inking quill. He scrawled a quick message before he opened his window and flicked his wand skyward. A few minutes later a medium sized barn owl was flying towards him. The owl landed on the edge of the window sill and stuck out its leg. There was a small pouch tied there with a request for one sickle.
"Bloody expensive, this" Fudge muttered to the owl who cocked its head but turned and stuck out the other leg.
"This goes straight to Arthur Weasley. No one else, understand?" Fudge spoke sternly as he tied the letter to the owl's leg. The owl screeched at him harshly before taking off into the night. Fudge closed the window and settled down for a wait.
The Burrow
Arthur Weasley was sleeping peacefully and quietly, a rare commodity in the Wizarding World. Beside him, his wife was sleeping much the same. Though it was she who woke to the tap-tapping of an owl at the window.
"Arthur, wake up. There's an owl at the window. I got the last two. Come on now love, don't be lazy." Molly Weasley murmured into her husband's ear.
"Mrrrrrr" Arthur grunted and rolled over, trying not to listen to his wife's voice. If he didn't hear her he didn't have to get up.
"Arthur get up! I know you can hear me!" Molly whispered fiercely and slapped her husband firmly on the arse.
"Bloody hell woman! I'm up, I'm up!" Arthur grumbled crankily as he clamoured out of bed before his loving wife could smack him again. He stumbled over to the window and took the letter from the owl which flew off when the letter was secure. Arthur opened the letter using the light of the near full moon. He reread the letter twice and cursed loudly. He folded the letter up and started changing into his work clothes.
"Work?" Molly questioned sleepily.
"Yes, hopefully I'll be back before dawn. Love you." Arthur said as he finished buttoning up his robes. He kissed his wife good bye and made his way outside before he apparated away.
Hogwarts
Yuugi bit his knuckle as he tried to work up the courage to approach Snape's door. The headache potion had only helped a little and now it wasn't helping at all. He could do this….But what if Snape was busy or sleeping? It was late….A sharp pulse of pain, worse than having his soul ripped out, convinced him otherwise. He approached Snape's door and knocked lightly. There was a tense silence before Snape tersely beckoned for Yuugi to enter.
Yuugi took a steadying breath and went in. He took one quick look at Snape before bowing his head slightly so he didn't have to meet Snape's searing gaze.
"What is it?" Snape bit out, not giving one hint that he was actually grateful for a break.
'We need COFFEEEEEE' Inner Snape droned, his cute black eyes drooping with fatigue.
"I…I have a headache" Yuugi said softly, keeping his head down. His cheeks were tinged pink with embarrassment.
"You know where the headache potion is kept." Snape stated plainly but did not dismiss the boy. He was curious now, why had the boy come to him now, when he was still clearly afraid of him.
"I had some, about half an hour ago and it only helped a little. It's also the second time I've taken it." Yuugi said, his voice still soft and meek. Snape frowned and stood up, moving briskly to look Yuugi over.
Yuugi bit his lip as he fidgeted under Snape's sweeping gaze.
Snape raised his hands to Yuugi's neck and felt behind his ears and the back of his head.
"You have had no recent head injuries that I should be aware of?" Snape asked when he finished his mini-exam. Yuugi shook his head no.
Snape pursed his lips and stepped back, eyeing Yuugi carefully. Snape turned away from the young man and grabbed some strange powder before throwing it into the fire. Yuugi eeped as he watched Snape stick his head into the flames. Several minutes passed before Snape removed his head from the fire, making Yuugi breath normally again.
"Do not move." Snape ordered pointedly before sweeping out into the main room. Yuugi sighed as his head continued to pound. He closed his eyes and cradled his head in his hands. Why couldn't it stop hurting? He was tempted to open a portal to the Shadow Realm and go find and abyss to fall into, but somehow he figured it wouldn't be a good idea.
"Kindly place yourself upon the couch Mister Mouto." Snape said, startling the pained boy.
"Yes Snape-sensei." Yuugi replied politely and went back into the main room to sit on the couch as he was ordered. As soon as he sat down he was attacked by the castle's resident Medi-Witch, Madame Pomfrey.
"What seems to be the problem deary?" Madame Pomfrey asked kindly as she took her turn giving Yuugi a quick once over. Snape had told her what they boy had said, but she wanted to hear it from the boy's lips. She moved on, checking his pulse, blood pressure and his ears. She took his temperature and then began feeling the back of his head and his neck. She did this all before Yuugi could speak.
"I've had my headache since this afternoon and I've already taken some headache relief potion twice. And I think it's getting worse. It's hard to think and I fell sort of dazed." Yuugi explained politely, keeping his voice soft and meek.
Madame Pomfrey frowned and began casting several spells around him. One caused wavering lights to appear around his head. The lights were overwhelmingly purple with slight hints of red and some bright green. The colour of lights caused Madame Pomfrey and Snape to frown.
"Severus, please go get Albus. I'll stay here with Mister Mouto." Madame Pomfrey requested as she put her wand away and began to fuss over Yuugi. Snape twitched but did as he was bid.
'But I don't wanna!' Inner Snape whined and stopped his foot.
Yuugi was silent as Madame Pomfrey fussed about him, giving him a sense of dread. Snape returned with Dumbledore, a man whom Yuugi was unsure of. He had only met the man a handful of times, but each time made him wonder what the elder man was thinking.
"Ah Yuugi, Professor Snape tells me that you are unwell. I am sorry to here that." Dumbledore said kindly, coming to stand next to Madame Pomfrey.
"Please, could someone tell me what is going on?" Yuugi pleaded shyly.
"They have not told you? Than I shall explain as best I can. The spell that Madame Pomfrey used that lit up with such brilliant colours is a spell used on sick children to help determine what is wrong with them. However we have never seen such colours before and they were all centred on your head, or more specifically, your mind. Madame Pomfrey decided to send for me as I am a practiced Leginimist which means I have the ability and skill to enter people's minds safely." Dumbledore explained, a reassuring smile on his face. Yuugi blinked as he processed what Dumbledore had told him.
"No." Yuugi stated with a firmness he didn't feel. Madame Pomfrey and Snape looked surprised with Yuugi while Dumbledore smiled on, his eyes twinkling with hidden mirth.
"I don't think you understand Mister Mouto. Albus is the only one qualified to try and help you." Madame Pomfrey said slowly, thinking that Yuugi didn't understand what Dumbledore had said.
"But I don't want anyone other than Yami in my mind." Yuugi murmured to himself, keeping his wide amethyst eyes down. Madame Pomfrey and Dumbledore looked at Snape, hoping for a translation.
"He is uncomfortable with the idea of someone he doesn't know in his mind." Snape translated, fudging what Yuugi had said. Madame Pomfrey nodded empathetically while Dumbledore just continued to smile, his eyes twinkling.
"Perhaps it would be best if someone he was comfortable with…?" Dumbledore hinted.
"Oh no, Albus! I'll not have Severus go into his mind. Severus may be a skilled Leginimist but he has a sharp tongue!" Madame Pomfrey thundered, her eyes ablaze.
"Ah, but in the end it is young Yuugi's choice is it not? After all, he is seventeen, the age of majority in the Wizarding World." Dumbledore smiled mischievously as he watched Yuugi brighten slightly while Madame Pomfrey huffed, giving Dumbledore the evil eye.
"I know when I'm not wanted!" Madame Pomfrey said, a hand on her hip as she gathered up her travel bag that she used with students and Professors that couldn't make it to the Infirmary.
"It seems that you have a Medi-Witch to placate, Professor Dumbledore." Severus said with a barely suppressed smile. It was always fun to watch when Dumbledore's sly was on someone unsuspecting. Madame Pomfrey left with Dumbledore following at a safe distance. Snape watched as Yuugi visibly relaxed when Madame Pomfrey and Dumbledore had been gone for a few minutes.
"Perhaps it would be best if you washed up in my bathroom and went to bed. When you're done I'll give you some dreamless sleep potion. It won't get rid of your headache but you'll be able to sleep alright despite it. Oh, and don't forget about the sink. It still has a bit of an attitude." Snape instructed then stood back as Yuugi did what he was told. A few minutes passed with silence and Snape was just about to get ready for bed when he heard a loud splash. Sighing, Snape turned and waited for Yuugi to exit the bathroom. He didn't have to wait long before Yuugi came out dripping.
'Awe, he are cold and wet and sad…'(1) Inner Snape said sadly his eyes shining with tears of sympathy as Snape looked at Yuugi.
Taking pity on the poor boy, he cast a drying spell before giving him the potion. Snape watched as the boy grew drowsy and then literally fell asleep on his feet. Snape grabbed the boy before he could hit the floor and carried him over to the couch.. He watched for a moment before heading for his own bed. They would figure out what to do in the morning.
London
Fudge was waiting impatiently for Arthur to arrive and was on the verge of sending another letter off when the buzzer by the door rang. Pressing a button he allowed the person downstairs access into the building. He was ready when Arthur stepped off the elevator looking enraptured with everything around him and Fudge had to bite his tongue to hold back the snort of disdain.
"Quickly Weasley." Fudge harried. It wouldn't do to get caught.
Arthur's good mood vanished as soon as he caught sight of Fudge.
"What's this about, Fudge?" Arthur asked sourly as he stepped inside of Fudge's muggle flat.
"Everything said here is private, got it? It gets out and I'll do worse than what I said in the letter." Fudge stated, wringing his hands nervously. Arthur just nodded and glared heatedly. It was one thing to threaten him, it was another to bring his wife into it.
"St.Mungo's is compromised and it has something to do with that strange boy that is still in Hogwarts. That boy should be in the Ministry, not under the control of some barmy senile headmaster." Fudge rushed out
"Compromised?" Arthur frowned, his attitude changing. He was still furious, but Fudge had his attention at least.
"Yes, yes! I was attacked and now there's someone speaking in my head!" Fudge exclaimed heatedly.
"Ah, I'll get you the help you need then." Arthur said, his face lighting up in understanding.
"Really? Excellent-oh, no you fool! I'm not mad! I saw him! He looked just like that boy from the blasted ritual!" Fudge yelled, his face purpling when he realized what Arthur was implying.
"I'm not barmy, I need to speak with that boy. Who ever attacked me used that boy's form!" Fudge shouted loudly. Arthur was stuck. He could talk to Dumbledore and let Fudge see the boy or he could call up St.Mungo's and get the man a room-something he undoubtedly needed.
Arthur winced as he made his decision. This wasn't going to end well.
(1) This is similar to something a friend of mine said only her version was I instead of he. It was funny. At least to us.